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Sun TV comes to U.S.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

NEW YORK SEPT. 24. Under the promotional banner "The Sun Rises in the West,'' Sun TV has made a foray into the United States market by offering quality entertainment programmes to the Tamil- speaking population of the Indian diaspora in this country.

"We are very happy to come to the United States. It's long overdue and it's just a start,'' said Kalanidhi Maran, Chairman and Managing Director of the Sun Network at a press conference here.

The reception that followed the press interaction was well attended, among others, by India's Ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the Consul-General of the Consulate General of India here. The CEO of Sun Network, Dayanidhi Maran, was also present.

Sun TV programmes are being offered through DISH Network, one of the leading direct broadcast satellite television providers.

The services to subscribers started 10days ago. DISH Network, which currently has about 7.5 million customers, said it was committed to a long-term relationship with Sun TV.

Sun TV hopes to tap into a good chunk of the Tamil population in the U.S. estimated at over 300,000 and the response over the last 10 days has been termed ''excellent''. To begin with, a "bouquet'' of Sun TV programmes will be offered.

The thinking is also to have the local programmes to be telecast through the network in India, according to Mr. Maran.

Sun TV in the U.S. would be followed by Gemini and Surya, he said.

"Sun TV is proud of its association with EchoStar and is the ideal platform for wholesome southern India entertainment in America,'' he said in a press release.

DISH Network, which is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation, offers more than 50 international channels in some 14 languages spread over the world.

With over 27 million viewers in India and round-the-clock programming, Sun TV has crossed the Atlantic into the U.S.

Mr.Maran pointed out that his premier network had a presence in West Asia, Europe and the Asia-Pacific including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and parts of Australia.

In future, it will look north of the American border as well. "We are exploring options in Canada,'' remarked a senior executive of EchoStar.

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